‘U’ Professor Weighs In On Federal Gov’t Shutdown

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) — Hours before a threatened government shutdown, the Senate has the next move Monday on must-do budget legislation that has fueled a bitter congressional dispute over President Barack Obama’s signature health care law.

This would be the first federal government shutdown in 17 years, and would affect various parts of everyday life.

Jay Kiedrowski, a senior fellow at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, says 800,000 federal workers would be furloughed Monday evening if the shutdown happens.

“The 401 National Parks would be closed, the troops won’t get paid, no FHA loans will be approved, no passports or visas. A lot of things are going to happen effective midnight tonight,” Kiedrowski said.

Social Security checks would continue, as would postal service, and medical staff at the VA Hospital would keep working.

Also, some critical services such as patrolling the borders, inspecting meat and controlling air traffic would continue.

Kiedrowski said the shutdown will cost about $1 billion to the federal government.

The battle started with a House vote to pass the short-term funding bill with a provision that would have eliminated the federal dollars needed to put Obama’s health care overhaul into place. The Senate voted along party lines to strip that out and sent the measure back to the House.

Jay Kiedrowski Interview

Susie Jones has been with WCCO Radio since 1996. She started as a part-time reporter in the newsroom. She was born and raised in Southeast Minneapolis and is one of four daughters. Susie went to the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree...